HK$20 billion plan to provide more care facilities won’t disrupt property market, Hong Kong welfare chief Law Chi-kwong says
- Scheme will be implemented in phases over three to five years, with about 20 pieces of private property acquired each year
A new plan to provide more care facilities for children and the elderly will not disrupt Hong Kong’s property market, the city’s welfare chief has said.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said on Monday about 20 private properties in the city would be acquired in a year for this purpose.
“We won’t buy properties just for the sake of buying them or meeting the target, we will consider all factors such as price and location before we give it a green light,” Law said.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced in his third budget last Wednesday he would set aside HK$20 billion (US$2.55 billion) to acquire private units and convert them into service facilities, including care centres for children, the elderly and people with disabilities, benefitting about 86,000 people. The government was expected to buy 60 properties to house 130 facilities.
With Hong Kong already the most expensive propery market in the world, there were concerns the purchases would have an effect on the real estate market. But Law said the plan would be carried out over the next three to five years and spread out over 18 districts.